Hard Cider Festival Returns To Wine Country

Pour the Core, a hard cider festival is headed to the North Fork. The festival, which launched with great success last fall, will be held on Saturday, October 5 from 1 to 4 PM at the Peconic Bay Winery in Cutchogue. The event will feature local, regional and international hard ciders for tasting.

Cider sales are on the rise. Today, this alcoholic category, that once took the back burner to many others, is enjoying a remarkable renaissance driven by both breweries and wineries taking advantage of the fast-growing interest and appeal.

Hard cider producers are also securing a fast-growing fan base among those who are unable to enjoy beer due to their intolerance to gluten.

Pour the Core's debut last fall received great fanfare and feedback from cidermakers and attendees. Again this year, the festival will showcase over 30 of the finest locally-produced and internationally-sourced ciders. Featured at the festival will be imported ciders and perries from England, Ireland, and Sweden along with popular favorites from Woodchuck, McKenzie's, Angry Orchard, and others.

"We are extremely excited about sampling Angry Orchard hard ciders at Pour the Core again this year. The response to our ciders at last year's festival was overwhelmingly positive," said Jonathan Galeno, Sr. Account Manager at The Boston Beer Company, the makers of Angry Orchard ciders. "We will be showcasing our three core styles: Crisp Apple, Traditional Dry, and Apple Ginger."

Local breweries, including Blue Point Brewing Company, Port Jeff Brewing Company, and Long Ireland Beer Company, will also be offering samples of their fall seasonal brews to event attendees. Long Island wineries will also be participating.

The event will take place outdoors, under tents nestled into the beautiful grounds of the Peconic Bay Winery, rain or shine. Food will be available for sale with a seasonal menu, including many gluten-free options, created by local caterer Maple Tree BBQ. There will also be music and special seminars about cider, the making of cider, and the enjoyment of cider.

A limited number of tickets will be sold to this event. Tickets are $40 each when purchased in advance at www.PourTheCore.com or $65 at the door on the event day (if the event is not sold out). Designated driver tickets are also available online for $10.

Tickets includes admission to the festival, participation in special programming, a souvenir tasting glass, and samples (ciders, beer, and wine) from any participating exhibitor. No one under 21, including designated drivers, will be admitted and photo ID is required for entry. The event is sponsored in part by www.LIBeerEvents.com and www.HardCiderNews.com and produced by Starfish Junction. For tickets and more info visit www.PourTheCore.com.